December 25, 2025

Ruby Lee Ballard, transitioned this life peacefully, surrounded by family on December 25, 2025. Ruby was born on September 21, 1940 in Winona, Mississippi to the union of Cleo (Campbell) and to the late Willie Quinn Sr. She was the fifth child of seven children and was preceded in death by both parents and three sisters: Rose Anne Quinn, Dorothy...

December 24, 2025

Michelle Jenkins was the first of seven children born to the union of Thomas and Ava Jenkins on December 5, 1955, in Kansas City, MO.

Michelle was preceded in death by her mother Ava Jenkins; sister Chandra Jenkins; maternal and paternal grandparents; four aunts, five uncles, including her Aunt Gloria Stanley and Uncle Carroll Johnson; two nephews, Bobby Joe Jenkins Jr....

December 22, 2025

John Wallace Smith, age 67, was born on October 5, 1958, in Booneville, Mississippi, and transitioned on December 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.

John was born to Martha Lucinda Rogers and Clifton Loving. While John was still young, his mother Martha married James Clifton Smith, who adopted John and raised him as his own child, proudly serving as his father...

December 21, 2025

Betty Jo Paraham (Toombs), 87, passed away on December 21, 2025, peacefully at her home. She was born on March 18, 1938, in Kansas City, Kansas as the only child to Jessie and Thelma Toombs (Berry). Both preceded her in death. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas where she attended and graduated from Sumner High School.

While attending high school...

December 21, 2025

December 20, 2025

Reginald Phillip Brown, affectionately known as “Reggie,” was born on July 22, 1962, in Dallas, Texas, to John Phillip Brown and Nora Faye Brown.

Rooted in faith from an early age, he joined Magnolia CME Church and later accepted Christ at New Bethel CME Church under the pastoral leadership of his father.

Gifted musically, Reggie mastered the guitar, piano, organ, and keyboard,...

December 20, 2025

Walter Lee Taylor, 73, lovingly known as, “Gunny”, “Walt”, “Top”, or “WL”, just to name a few, was born June 1, 1952, to Walter Lee and Maxine K. Taylor. Distinguished United States Marine Corps veteran, volunteer, loving father, fearless protector, great brother, and amazing friend, departed his earthly body on December 20, 2025.

Being the oldest of eight children, and the...

December 20, 2025

Shirell Marie Mullins, known as “Penny,” to all that loved her, was born March 23, 1964, to Diana and Robert Hudson. The oldest of five she grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri area where she also attended school. Penny worked many jobs, her last being for Durham Bus Company as a bus monitor.

Penny loved spending time with her family;...

December 19, 2025

On December 19, 2025, Cartez Andre Garlington, a son, our brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, took the hand of the Lord and moved on to glory.

Cartez, affectionately known as "Boobie", was born August 31, 1972, in Kansas City, MO to Carlton Cook and Anita Garlington. To this union, he was the second of three children born.

Cartez attended Van Horn...

December 18, 2025

Jerome Gibbs passed away on December 18, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Lenexa Kansas. He was born on November 26, 1945, in the small town of Gibraltar, in the parish of St. Ann Jamaica to Sylvannus Gibbs and Agatha Jack. He grew up in Gibraltar, St. Ann and also graduated from the Gibraltar All Age School in...

December 17, 2025

Sammy N. Daudinot passed away on December 17, 2025, at Overland Park Regional in Kansas City, Kansas.

Sammy was born on November 7, 1984, in Kansas City, Missouri to Sammy Daudinot and Nancy Denise Bermudes.

Sammy Nicholas is and always will be truly loved. He will be greatly missed by his mom Nancy, sister Santina, and brothers Garrett (Maveric) and Antwoin (Cheetah),...

December 17, 2025

Born on May 10, 1977, to Debra Smith-Amrine and Ronnell Amrine Sr., Ronnell Jr.—affectionately known as BayRon—was a radiant force of love, laughter, and loyalty. He attended East High School in Kansas City, where his vibrant personality and unforgettable charm left a lasting impression on everyone who crossed his path.

BayRon was the “Fresh Prince” of the family—charming, witty, and magnetic....

December 16, 2025

Pastor Celestral Omega Ward, 79, departed this life on December 16, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born on September 30, 1946, in Eckman, WV to Leander Howell Sr. and Elizabeth Shade Howell. She grew up in Mt. Vernon, NY and attended Mt. Vernon High School.

In 1964, she graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. She pursued further education...

December 14, 2025

Atha B. Rose was born on June 7, 1952, in Kansas City, MO to Rosevelt and Jessie B. Johnson. She grew up in the Kansas City Metro Area and graduated from Central High School In 1970. BIBI passed away at the Maywood Terrace Living Center Independence MO December 14, 2025, after long fight. Both parents; her husband, Charles Rose; and...

December 12, 2025

Eddie (Blaze) Romero Hayes was born on September 19, 1961, to the union of Roland A. Hayes and Georgia E. Hayes in Columbia, Missouri.

He received his early education in Kanas City, MO and went to Southeast High School.

Ed started his employment at Research Medical Center and later Superior Automotive until his health prevented him from working.

He was proceeded in death...

December 11, 2025

Alice Faye Bedford, 79, passed away on December 11, 2025, at St Luke's East Hospital, in Lee's Summit, MO. She was born on August 31, 1946, in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Mack McKinley Roberts and Katie Helen (Morris) Roberts. 

Alice grew up in Morrilton, Arkansas and graduated from Lincoln High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After high school Alice relocated the...

December 10, 2025

Heaven gained a gentle soul as Tony Lee Cummings Jr. received his wings on Thursday December 10, 2025.

Tony Lee Cummings Jr. was known for his gentle spirit, calming presence, and sincere love for connection. From an early age, Tony shared a close and devoted bond with his mother, Zoe Ann Wade and father, Tony Cummings Sr. Growing predominantly by his...

December 5, 2025

Patricia Ann Dearing, 84, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at home. She was born on March 17, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio to Leroy, David Hall and Corolla Mae (Cain) Alexander.

Patricia grew up in Cleveland Ohio. She graduated from Jane Adams Vocational School in Cleveland, Ohio, where she earned certification as a dietitian and began working as a food...

December 4, 2025

William Lawrence “DeeDee” Batteau, 63, passed away on December 4, 2025, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on June 1, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was the beloved son of Paul Emile and Rose Marie (Lemar) Batteau.

William grew up in New Orleans and graduated from George W. Carver High School. Shortly after, he enlisted in the...

December 3, 2025

Jerome Anthony Hawkins Jr., lovingly known as “Bullet,” of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the age of 27. Jerome was born on November 18, 1998, to Jerome Hawkins Sr. and Lori Wells. Like his only son, Jerome Sr.’s life was also taken at an early age when Jerome Jr. was just two years old.

Jerome...